Essence Pink Is The New Black Colour-Changing Blush ($5.99) is a new color changing blush that launched with the Essence Pink is the New Black Collection. This budget-friendly blush is a bold black shade that “magically” chances to a perfect mauve blush shade when applied to cheeks. I wasn’t going to pick this up at all as I think the novelty of pH level blushes has worn off for me but I snagged one in a recent smallish order I did at Ulta to tip me into the free shipping zone.

Essence Pink Is The New Black Colour-Changing Blush is one of several color-changing items that’s included in this collection. It comes in a rather large square plastic compact that holds 0.31 oz of blush for $5.99. And yes, it really is start black! At least it is at first but once you start rubbing your finger or a brush in it I noticed the shade sort of goes purple-ish! As I said above the novelty of pH anything has worn off for me. At one point, pH blushes and makeup was very fun but I think I’m just getting older and items like this are less appealing to have in my collection. I will say Essence was creative with this launch. Not a lot of brands have taken on black blush! Anna Sui Black Cream Blush is one that comes to mind and Wet n Wild Halloween Fantasy Makers Color Changing Blush! But color-changing blushes aren’t normally black like this. It’s a cool concept.

One of the first things I noticed about this blush when I opened it was the scent. Not...